Glendale Man Indicted for Fraud, Theft in Business Opportunity Scam

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Dec. 15, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced that John Daniel, 63, of Glendale, has been indicted on one count of fraudulent schemes and artifices and 19 counts of theft. The charges, all felonies, relate to a scam Daniel orchestrated that has defrauded at least 18 Valley residents of $148,950 since 2003.

According to court documents, Daniel solicited “investments” ranging from $3,500 to $60,000 for a non-existent company named Global Food Exports (GFE). He allegedly claimed GFE purchased large quantities of flour in the United States and sold them to a company in Mexico for a substantial profit. It is further alleged that Daniel told victims that they would become GFE “associates” with lucrative opportunities to assist in developing contracts with U.S. companies.

Documents state that Daniel provided no investment contracts to the individuals. He did allegedly provide some with an operations manual, company policies and various memoranda regarding the non-existent company’s practices.

Assistant Attorney General Monica Klapper is prosecuting this case in Maricopa County Superior Court. A copy of the indictment is attached.